A preeminent Atlanta hostess and taste-maker, Danielle Rollins has written a hard-cover book sharing her social expertise, “Soiree: Entertaining with Style.”

Rollins will be honored at a book signing and cocktail party Feb. 6 hosted by the Members Guild at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead. Rollins is a contributing editor to Veranda and Southern Living magazines and lifestyle editor for the LuxeCrush website. She is also a trained chef and has been extolled by Veranda as a “genuine expert — a natural-born entertainer.”

In her first book she invites readers into her world of elegant, accomplished entertaining with descriptions of chic at-home parties including detailed descriptions for invitations, flowers, table settings and linens, along with more than 80 original recipes.

The guild is a support group whose purpose is to further community interest and participation in the nonprofit center. Guild members are opening this book signing meeting for guests to meet the author and hear a behind-the-book talk for a nominal fee of $25 and be inspired to become a participating member of their group.

ART PAPERS’ public auction, the most comprehensive art-oriented ticketed sale in the Atlanta area, is scheduled for Feb. 9 at Mason Murer Fine Art in Buckhead.

A ticketed Collectors’ Preview Feb. 8 offers a sneak peek and option to purchase a select group of featured pieces. This will mark the 14th annual event showcasing an impressive collection of famed and emerging artists from around the world with proceeds befitting ART PAPERS’ award-winning programs. Attendees will vie for new works for their collections during the public auction with a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants.

ART PAPERS is presenting a broad scope of artists working in a variety of media including photography, painting, drawing and sculpture.

ART PAPERS is a 37-year-old Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to examination, development and definition of art and culture. Its mission is to provide an independent and accessible forum for the exchange of perspectives on the role of contemporary art as a socially relevant discourse. The mission is implemented through public programs and the publication of ART PAPERS magazine.

Celebrating 10 years of exceptional support, the 2013 Hope and Will Ball will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at a formal recognition dinner Feb.9 in the historic 200 Peachtree event space — the refurbished former 1927 Davison’s-Macy’s building in downtown Atlanta.

The inaugural 2004 ball was named for the Children’s little boy and girl mascots and has been a sold-out dining, dancing and lively auction success over the years to fund vital programs to keep children safe and healthy. The honorary committee for this event will be chairs of past balls recognized for their leadership and vision in building the annual fundraising successes.

Children’s is a nonprofit committed to enhancing the lives of kids through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood clinics, it is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the U.S.

Proceeds from this year’s ball will go toward the Children’s Sibley Heart Center at Egleston in DeKalb County and will fund neurodevelopment programs, pediatric cardiac research, the Friends Research Fund and the beloved Big Apple Clown Care Unit.

Taste of Love, the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s signature fundraising gala Feb. 9 at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, showcases the culinary art of the renowned chefs of the Ritz-Carlton while giving support to the love theme of “Creating an Oasis for those Living with Epilepsy.”

All proceeds from the black-tie event will be directed to the nonprofit foundation for its ongoing programs to help prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy, camper-ships and medication funds ensuring that Georgians with seizure disorders are able to participate in usual life experiences.

The third annual benefit for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation’s Atlanta chapter will both inspire and entertain Feb. 9 at the St. Regis in Buckhead.

This year’s host is retired Col. Jack Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient who served with distinction in Vietnam and is a member of the faculty of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., and the National War College in Washington. Col. Brian Mennes, a West Point graduate and commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division, will receive the 2013 Patriot Award. Mennes has led at every level in his military career and recently returned from combat deployment in Afghanistan.

The inspirational speaker for the formal dinner is Tabitha Bonilla, one of 296 children who have been supported by the foundation’s program “ensuring a college education for those they left behind.” Atlanta co-chair couples for the benefit are Barbara and Duke Roos with Sheree and Sean Boyd.

The nonprofit foundation was created in 1989 when Sgt. William Delaney Gibbs was killed in action in Panama, leaving a young wife and an unborn daughter. David Kim, who served with Gibbs, created the funding program with his wife Cynthia to help his daughter, Delaney Gibbs, bridge the gap between existing sources and the total cost of college.

To date, the foundation has granted more than $4 million in scholarships to about 300 children and started a pipeline for 1,000 more. The goal is: “to ensure that no child covered by our United States mission has to go out-of-pocket or take on loans to pay for college — the key to a successful future,” its motto states. Awards are based on need and available funding.

One of the new goals is to establish a centralized tracking system of children who have lost a parent in the armed forces and to offer long-term educational counseling. The foundation board covers 100 percent of operating costs so all donations go directly to aid young qualified recipients.

The juxtaposition of fanciful blooms and unexpected objects will transform the lobby areas of the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center into an “Orchid Daze of Surreal Beauty” for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual orchid season celebration Feb. 9 through April 14.

Inspired by famed surrealist artists Salvador Dali, Jen Arp and Rene Magritte, the conflagration of colors among mirrored walls and rippled spaces will invite visitors to become part of the amazing vignette compositions. The tribute to the exotic blossoms offers a variety of experiences including guided tours, a market weekend, care clinics, an evening party, Vanilla Sunday with sensory and cooking demonstrations and the annual Atlanta Orchid Society Show.

One of the highlights will be an elegant candlelight evening Feb. 14 for Valentine’s Day celebrants to enjoy a romantic interlude with cocktails, sumptuous desserts, music and dancing among the fragrant orchids.

“Orchids are such intriguingly odd flowers and we want to celebrate their whimsical and playful personalities,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the garden’s president and CEO. “We are excited to display newly released hybrids and award-wining heirloom varieties throughout this 2013 exhibition and series of events.”

Since its inception in 1973, the nonprofit garden’s mission has been to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment.

Families — including children of all ages — are invited to be a part of the BIG-TO-DO winter adventure on Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park in DeKalb County Feb. 10.

The event will support Sandy Springs-based Visiting Nurse Health System’s children’s program. The benefit ticket includes free entrance and parking, two hours of snow tubing and access to the man-made Snow Zone, Fort Snow, Snowman Valley, Igloo City and Snowball Shooting Gallery. A warm-up snack of s’mores and hot chocolate is provided, and indoor excitement for the whole family with dancing and the Snow Angel will complete the package.

Funds from the fun-filled experience will support Visiting Nurse’s pediatric services providing home healthcare, long-term care and hospice services at home and at the Hospice Atlanta Center in Brookhaven. Founded in 1948, Visiting Nurse is Georgia’s largest nonprofit provider of healthcare and hospice services at home.

“Our children’s program cares for young patients regardless of their diagnosis or ability to pay. It is our calling to care for these children and their families with long-term care and hospice services in the home. Hospice care is also provided at our extraordinary Hospice Atlanta Center,” Vice President of Advancement Lisa Robinson said.

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